Prep volleyball: Whalen calls UW her 'dream school'

The Cardinals sophomore outside hitter made her collegiate decision this week, after receiving interest from Division 1 programs across the country

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Newman Catholic sophomore Mariah Whalen, who helped the Cardinals to the WIAA Division 4 state title last fall, made her college decision this week as she committed to Wisconsin(Photo: Dan Young/Daily Herald Media file photo)Buy Photo

Story Highlights

Wisconsin was one of three Big Ten schools to offer a scholarship so far

Outside hitter was named national honors last year as a freshman

Whalen helped the Cardinals capture the WIAA Division 4 state title last year

Whalen previously She had previously received scholarship offers from both Iowa and Northwestern and interest from Division 1 programs across the country.

However, there was little doubt where she wanted to go from the start. It goes beyond the success of the Badgers program, which reached the national championship game last season.

"It's the fact that

"There's such great (fan) support for the (volleyball) program," Whalen added. "It's in the top 10 for attendance in the nation." (the campus) is so close to home. On a weekend you can drive two hours, and you're back with your family and everything," Whalen said. "Also it's the education. You can't get much better than Wisconsin. It's one of the top schools, especially for what I want to get into (business).

With her collegiate decison made, Whalen now can now just concentrate on volleyball and high school for the next three years.

"So much stress was relieved with that phone call (from Sheffield)," Whalen said. "You don't have to worry about anything but getting better, keep developing and staying on the top of your game."

Tim Johnson can be reached at 715-845-0731. Find him on Twitter @timmyjo11.